July 18th Buffalo Business Report

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Doctor James Boles is announcing his retirement as CEO of People Incorporated. Boles assumed the leadership position at People Inc. in 1981 and in 33 years oversaw the growth of the agency from 200 staff members and a $2 million annual budget to one with more than 3,200 staff serving 12,000+ individuals and a budget of $144 million. Rhonda Frederick will take over on October 1st.

High honors for Buffalo General Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report has named it as a 2014-2015 high performer in orthopedics. It is the only hospital in the Buffalo area to receive orthopedic recognition. The magazine says a high performing hospital had to have a score that placed it in the top 25 percent of eligible facilities in at least one specialty, using the same methodology that identifies nationally ranked Best Hospitals.

Is the Pizza Plant looking to set up shop at Canalside? Buffalo Business First says the owners of the pod specialists are negotiating with Benderson Development to occupy street level space at the One Canalside building. Pizza Plant could serve downtown by the first of the year, and has two Amherst locations.

More downtown development. Nick Kotrides, the owner of Toro and Faherty's tells Buffalo Business First he and his business partner have leased an Ellicott Street warehouse to establish Niagara Distilling. The plan is to make vodka, gin, rye and other potent potable from scratch using natural ingredients made by local farmers. He hopes to start selling in the fall.